Sorry it took so long to get this posted. Been crazy busy with elk hunting, vehicle repairs and all the general stuff life throws at us.
I had been scouting for quite awhile and had a pretty good idea of where I wanted to hunt. One morning my son and I were headed up to do some recon and we spotted about a dozen elk, all bald, in a clear cut. I really didn't plan on putting any effort into this herd of elk because I thought I saw all that I needed to see. Even though they were in a unit I had a cow tag for I was going to hold out for a bull until probably the last day of season.
Well, a Huntwa member on here that goes by vaz,,66 made a post about info on a good Winston bull. I let him know I was interested and he gave me some great intel about this bull. Going so far as drawing me a detailed map and telling me his observations. Crazy thing is, it was with the exact same herd we saw. But just not when we saw them! Definitely changed my plans on hunting this herd of elk. Saw the bull the first time and everytime we went out over an almost 3 week period.
A few days before the opener a crew set up a camp within 250 yards through the timber from where these elk were hanging out. We never saw them or anybody else anytime we were out there! And this bull was pretty vocal. So were the cows.
The day before season opened we went out to look over the clear cut pretty early. Figured we would plan some strategies for different scenarios. Just a drive through, then pull back out of sight and watch to see what developed. We were surprised to see the elk grazing about midway down the clearcut next to the trees. By the time we spotted them we were only 150 yards from them. They couldn't care less about us. They just grazed and would occasionally look up at us. The bull let out a light bugle a couple times and we could hear another one respond a ways off 1 time. That one had one of those deep growly bugles like a big old bull, but I only got a glimpse of him 1 time and have no idea what he looked like. One of the cows barked several times but it didn't seem to be at us. We watched them until the last light faded and they eased into the woods towards the elk camp behind them.
On the way home I came up with a game plan. I was going to drop my son off at least an hour before daylight on the main road where it first went along the edge of the clearing. He would wait there until it was light enough to see and I was going to drive down to where the spur road went through the middle of the opening and wait for it to get light enough to glass the first third of the clearing. Then I would walk or drive part way in to glass the rest. Light came and nothing was in that first area. I felt comfortable driving in a ways to the base of a hill where I would get out and walk up the hill to glass the next third of the opening.
I called my son on the radio and he planned to skirt the edge of the timber to look into a little draw while I went up and checked my area. I got up over the hill and there are 3 spurs that go off to 1 side. I walked past the first 1. Nothing in sight. Got up to where I could see a little draw between the next two spurs and spotted elk. First a cow. Then a few more, and finally I spotted the bull grazing away from me a few hundred yards away. I got back on the radio and had Matt meet me at the truck. We were trying to come up with a plan to cut them off as they grazed towards the trees away from us. We got about 1/2 way to where we wanted to be when they started to get pretty spooky. They didn't know we were anywhere around so I figured other hunters were coming in. They headed towards the trees pretty quick and we took off on a dead run to cut them off. I looked over at my son just in time to see him trip, go flying through the air and land in a depression out of sight. Scared the heck out of me. He popped up, let me know he was OK and finished running about 50 yards to a pile of rootwads and brush. Then the darndest thing I think I ever saw happened. As the elk were hurrying to the trees Matt yelled "STOP" at the elk. I was shocked when they actually slowed down!
I got there and tried to get in position to get a shot just as they started into the trees. I wasn't making it but watched Matt get a good rest and take a shot. I couldn't tell if he hit the bull or not. The elk took off into the trees. After a bit we eased our way over to where I thought they went in and didn't even see a track. Matt thought they were a little further back and to the left. We found some track and I happened to look through the trees and could see a grassy road about 30 or 40 yards through that the elk would have most likely crossed. I got out there and found a few scattered track. As I was looking Matt hollered at me that he found blood. I went back up to where he was and tracked a pretty good blood trail until I was probably less than 10 yards from the road. I didn't see any more blood so went to the road and figured I would pick it up again.
We both looked and looked but couldn't find anymore blood. We followed the track across the road into a steep brushy reprod patch. It got so bad we couldn't follow track anymore. I was getting a bit worried. but we kept looking. After awhile Matt asked if we should go back up to where we found the blood. I agreed and headed up there. I found a few more spots of blood but then it quit again. I was pretty confused. I could see the road right in front of me and the brush was knocked down. It looked like the bull went through the brush to the road. I started slowly easing my way ahead looking and looking for sign. I happened to look over to my right and realized I was so focused on following the trail out to the road that I missed some big pools of blood off to my right. About 15 feet away. Apparently the bull did an abrupt 90 degree turn and fooled me. I went over to where the blood was at and there was the bull almost belly up. It died on the cut of a little landing spur off the road we were concentrating on. When it fell it was hidden by fir boughs and ferns and I didn't see it until I was a few steps from it. When we were on the road earlier we had walked within 15 feet of it several times without seeing it hidden.
While Matt was getting it gutted out I heard another bugle so I went for a quick look. Didn't see anything. So went back to help finish up. We were able to back the truck into the ditch and load the elk whole. Sure makes for a clean carcass when you can back into the shop and skin and hang them in one piece!
We had time to get a hot shower and clean clothes and I went out for the evening hunt. No elk. The next morning We went up to my original destination and after a few hours of hiking I got into some good fresh sign. As I was slowly moving through the timber I spotted some movement. A cow was sneaking away from me. I was able to keep easing my way up the trail and eventually got a look at some elk. 1 was a good 5x5. I tried to get into position for a good shot but everytime I would shoulder my muzzleloader they would ease off or there would be too many limbs in the way. I caught a glimpse of them off to my right and about 100 yards above me up a steep hill. I circled around and got up the hill as fast as I could Between climbing the hill and the adrenaline I was shaking like crazy. I knew I needed a rest or there was no way I was going to be able to shoot if they crossed where I thought they would. As I got up to a log to rest on I saw the elk above me but still no shot opportunity. Spent the rest of the day playing cat and mouse with no luck.
I was bummed because I wanted to get back up there the next day. But I also knew with the warm temperatures we needed to get Matts elk processed and I would have to wait until Tuesday to get back up after them. So We butchered Monday and I went for another evening hunt close to home. Saw a few cows but that was it.
Tuesday morning came and I planned on going back to where Matt got his bull and see if the other bull showed up. Just cows so we stayed with the plan to work our way up to the timber where I got into the elk on Sunday. We got down the road a few miles and saw a truck in front of us. I told Matt I hope he pulls over so we can get around him. Another mile down the road hes pulled over glassing an opening. We get past him a mile or 2 and I spot a cow on the hill in a clearing above us. I stop jump out grab my muzzy and head towards it. I see some more cows and a spike. Matt says is that that a legal bull. No its a spike. He says I saw forks but couldn't tell how many points. I said no way, its a spike! Then I happen to look over to my left and see hes talking about a different elk that was just out of my eyesight. I put my glasses up and hes a legal bull. I pull my muzzy up and hes with the cows and his horns blend in with the back ground so much I cant pull the trigger. I pull my glasses up. Hes by himself and I have him pegged. Shoulder my muzzy . Settle in on him, pull the trigger and drop him in his tracks! We were able to hook up a pulley, run some mule tape to him, and pull him to a flat spot just above the road. Got him gutted. Backed the truck up to the hill and drug him in whole!
Today was another day of butchering. What an amazing season. We were blessed and I'm extremely grateful to vaz,,66 for being generous enough to help make it happen!
Thank you, Andrey!
